Door movement



SePL 3, 1931- w. E. DUNCANsoN I 1,822,767

DooR MOVEMENT Sept. 8, 1931.

w. E. DUNcANsoN 1,822,761

DOOR MOVEMENT Filed March 1e.- 1929 4 sheets-sheet 2 Sept. 8, 1931. vw. E. DuNcANsoN DOOR MOVEMENT Filed March 16. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheetl 3 'Il rilll TORNEY Sept. 8, 1931. w. E. DuNcANsoN DOOR MOVEMENT Filed March 16, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 4 ,Ism c l l l m f Rm ma N wu m ,W l w Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE WALTER E. DUNCANSON, F NEW YORK, N, Y., ASSGNOR TO J'. G. WILSON CORPORA- TION, OF NEVI' YORK, N. Yi, A CORPORATION 0l VIRGINIA DOOR MOVEMENT Application filed March 16, 1929. Serial No. 347,490.

rl`his invention relates to door movements, and more particularly to the movements of a plurality of sectional folding partitions or doors, adapted to be moved and folded into i a pocket provided for this purpose, and to be moved from the pocket and unfolded into substantial alignment when used to extend across and divide a space to be partitioned off, and also to the movement of a door mounted Vso as to cooperate with the said partitions in order to close the pocket when the partitions are folded therein and to close the pocket when the partitions are extended, and furthermore to force the partitions while in their extended positions to a tight alignment .and to lock them in place, thereby preventing` the partitions from movement toward the pocket.

I am aware that heretofore folding partie *o tions, some section fold and others of the accordion type, have been employed to divide a room into two or more spaces and in most instances these partitions have been constructed to fold to a place against a wall, 5 and occasionally to fold into a pocket provided for this purpose. I am also aware that in some instances where folding partitions have been adapted to be moved into a pocket the pocket has been provided with a door to close the saine. In these latter constructions,

however no arovision so far as I am awarehas been made for any cooperation between the pocket door and the extended partitions for utilizing the closing movement of the pocket door to force, hold or lock the folding partitions in their extended positions. In all instances, so far as I am aware, the pocket door and the partitions have been so constrncted that when the` partitions are extended one pivot point remains in the pocket and when closed the edge of the pocket door adjacent the partitions abuts against the face of the same. In this construction there is a consequent tendency when opening and closing the pocket door to mar the surface of the adjacent portions of the folding partitions, and also tov bruise the hands of the operator. In this type of structure the-partitions are not adapted to move the pivot point of the first door from its position in the rear of the pocket to a position outside of the pocket. In other instances where partitions are hinged together, as in the accordiontype, the folding partitions have been out of necessity so mounted as to move from the position in which they are folded in the pocket to a position outside of the pocket without changing the position of the pivotal point. It is believed that no constructions have been made in which a portion of the pocket dooriis adapted to move behind the adjacent edge of the partition next adjacent the pocket door when the partitions are extended and the door closed and no type of pocket door has been made where the door acts as a lock to force and hold the partitions in a tight extended formation. Moreover, as aforesaid in no type of like structure is any provision made to utilize the pocket door through the closing movement thereof to hold or lock the folding partitions in their extended positions.

In carrying out my present invention I employ a plurality of folding partitions preferably hinged together in pairs and adapted to move from an extended position outside of a pocket to a folded position inside of the pocket and to move from the folded position inside of the pocket to an extended position outside of the pocket. When outside of the pocket the partitions are adapted to divide a space, or room, or other place, I also employ a dooriadapted to swing and turn to close the pocket when the folding partitions are contained therein and also when the folding partitions are moved to their positions of alignment outside thereof to lock and hold them locked extended against a spring amb at the opposite side of the space or room, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawings Figure l is an elevation illustrating the application of my present invention in door movements,

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan showing the relationship of the members comprising the invention,

Fig. 3 is an elevation taken on line 3 3, Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale and showing the partitions in a different position,

Fig. is a sectional elevation illustrating the manner in which the foldingparttions are adapted to slide and turn,

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the partitions illustrated in another position,

Fig. 7 is a` sectional plan on line 7 7, Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation showing the construction by which one edge of the closed door has a right line movement,

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan similar to Fig. 2 showing another form of the invention,

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation on line 10-10, Fig. 9, and

Fig. 11 is also a sectional plan showing still another form of the invention.

In carrying out the invention I employ a plurality of partitions illustrated, for example, at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. These partitions are preferably connected in pairs by hinges 16 and 17, or otherwise, so that each pair of partitions is adapted to be moved while extended to folded position and from a folded position to an extended position. Vilhen moved to a folded position the parti- .i tions are adapted to lie and iit within a pocket 18 provided therefor in a wall 19. In carrying out the invention I also employ a door`20 adapted to close the pocket while the partitions are folded therein and also when extended outside thereof.

The partitions irrespective of the number which may be employed'in any given unit are adapted to be guided both at the bottom and at the top thereof so that they may be moved from the folded positions to the extended positions and vice versa. As illustrated in the vvlower distant edge portions of each pair of partitions there are pintles 21 each construct- 'ed to include a tracker plate 22 adapted to 'move in a groove 23 formed ina track 24 which extends across the space the partitions are adapted to occupy when extended and also into and across the pocket. The pintle 21 is alsoconstructed to include rollers 25 and 26 which support the partitions and are adapted to run on the track 24.

At the distant portions of the upper edges of each pair of partitions the same are provided with pintles indicated at 23. Each of these pintles is fitted with a roller 29 adapted 4to move in a guideway 30. Each pintle is also fitted with a spacer plate 31 by which when the partitions are folded they are properly spaced by the spacer plates abutting against one another to determine the folded portions of the partitions.

The guideway isimounted in a suitable -casing' which extends across the space which the partitions are adapted to occupy when extended for use and also into and across the pocket. This casing includes suitable stringer members 32 and 33 in oppositely disposed spaced positions at the bottom thereof. Ad-

thereof, and for a predetermined distance extending from the closetend of the casing the Stringer members 32 and 33 are cut away at their lower sides, as indicated at 35 and 36 in order, as will be hereinafter explained, to permit each set or pair of partitions to be moved in alignment toward the pocket until the forward partition is within the pocket after which the partitions may be folded into place in the pocket. The extent, of course, of the cutaway portions .35 and 36 of these Stringer members obviously depends on the width of each pair of partitions and as illustrated trie cutaway portion extends from the pocket to the point indicated at 37. In some instances the slot 34 may also extend through the guideway 30.

In its upper edge one partition of each pair thereof is provided with a pin. These pins are set in diiferent positions and as illustrated the pin carried by the partition 10 is indicated at 38, the pin carried by the partition 12 is indicated at 39 and the pin carried by the partition 14 is indicated at 40. It will now be understood that in view of this construction the pins 38,39 and 40 are respectively adapted to pass through the slot 34 when the respective pairs of partitions are moved to that position in which the pin carried thereby is in. place to register with the slot. Gbviously also when the doors are in their aligned extended positions they are so maintained by the edges of the doors lying between the Stringer members 32 and 33 and also by the respective pins carried thereby lying within the space formed by these stringer members or within the gui deway 30. Consequently in moving the partitions from the extended position shown in Fig. 1 to the folded position within the pocket the iirst.

pair of partitions, that is, partitions 10 and 11 must be shifted while still in alignment sufficiently far to bring the pin 38 into position to register with the slot 34 and into that position in which the upper edges of the doors are permitted by the cutaway lower portions of the stringer members to be broken or folded on their hinges, whereby the pin 3S passes through the slot .34 and the doors swivel on the pintles 27 and 28 and by a continued shifting movement when the closetV door is open may be moved into the pocket.

A similar operation maintains in respect to the pair of partitions 12 and 13 and to the pair of partitions 14 and 15, and to all the Apairs of partitions which may be included in any given installation. It will be noted that to this end the pin in the upper edge of one member' of each pair of partitions must be located further from the edge of the partition carrying the same than is the pin in the preceding partition, assuming of course that this applies to the successive partitions as they enter the pocket. Obviously also, the reverse conditions maintain in moving the brackets 41 and 42 are connected.

successive pairs of partitions from the pocket to their extended or aligned positions. It is also to be observed that the respective pins 38, 39 and 40 carried in the upper edges of the corresponding number of each pair of parti'- tions may extend into the guide member `and the slot 34 made to extend through the same inwhich event, however, the pins are of smaller diameter than the diameter of the rollers 29 and the slot 34 is only of suiicent width to permit the passage of the pins and to prevent the passage of the rollers so that 'the rollers are at all times'maintained within the guide member. j

The closet door 20 is mounted to swing and turn to and from its open and closed positions and in the movement thereof the edge The opposite end of the arm 43 is connected to a rod 45 which is suitably journaled in a bracket 46 connected in a substantially central position adjacent the upper end or top of the door. In a similar manner an arm 43 is pivotallyconnected at one end between lugs 47 in the bracket 42 and at its other end to the rod 45 which is also journaled in a.

bracket 48 connected in a substantially central position adjacent the lower end or bottom of the door. In this structure vthe rod 45 extends between the brackets 46 and 48 but, as will be understood, the outer end of the arms 43 and 43' may be otherwise and suitably conne-cted to the door in centrally disposed or other positions in any equivalent manner. It is not necessary for the rod 45 to extend between these brackets.

In its upper edge the closet door 20 adjacent the forward part thereof is fitted with a pin 49 extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to run or travel in a groove 50 provided therefor in a track 51 which extends from the casing in which the partitions are movable to the door casing to which the In a similar manner and directly beneath the pin 49 there is a pin 52 extending from the lower edge of the door 20. This pin 52 is adapted to travel or run in a groove 53 provided therefor in a track 54 which is immediately below and substantially coextensive with the track 51. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the edge of the partition 10 may be fitted with a strip of felt or other similar material and vas illustrated in Fig. 1 the jamb in which the edge of the outermost pair of partitions is adapted to engage may be fitted with a spring amb construction 56. Also as illus- Atrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the closet door 20 may be providedin a suitable position with a handle or knob 57 by means of which it may be readily operated.

In the use of the apparatus as hereinbefore vdescribed the folding partitions are normally contained within the pocket 18 constructed to receive the same and the kpocket door is moved to the position in which it closes the pocket ,and conceals the folding partitions. In using the folding partitions the pocket `door is moved so as to open the pocket and in so doing, as will be understood, the door turns on the rod 45 and swings on the pins 49 and -52 which latter move in a right line direction yin the grooves provided therefor in the tracks v51 and 54. When the pocket door is moved toF its open position the folding partitions may be moved from-the pocket, each pair of the partitions being successively shifted to that position in which they may be unfolded and the pin carried thereby moved through the slot 34 to permit all the pairs of partitions to assume an aligned position. After the pan titions have been moved from the pocket the closet door may be closed behind thesame.

t is to be noted that each pair' of partitions 'moves in its entirety from a position within the pocket to a position entirely outside of the pocket. In closing the pocket door the same turns in the opposite direction on the rod 45, or an equivalent mounting device,.and

also swings on its pins 49 and 52 which, of course, in this movement of the door travel in the opposite direction in the grooves provided therefor in the tracks 51 and 54. In

Aso doing, as will be plainly seen by reference to the various dotted line positions of the door as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the

lpins 49 and 52 act as pivots and that portion lof the door between the pivot pins and the adjacent edge thereof acts as one arm of a VVlever and that portion of the door between 'immediately before the door reaches itsclosed position the outer face of the short arm of the lever contacts with the adjacent edge of thenext adjacent partition, in this instance the partition 10, or against the strip of felt with which this edge is provided, so that by thecontinued movement of the door to its closed position this short arm of the lever moves against the face of a stop 57 and forces the next adjacent partitions, and consequently each succeeding pair of partitions, to its extended position and the parts are so designed that in doing so this action forces the forward edge of the most distant partition,

.as for example, partition 15, against the Aio tit)

direction toward the pocket. When the partitions are extended and the closet door closed the pivot pins 49 and 53 which function as the fulcrum of the arms of the lever made by the door are located substantially in line with the inner face of the partitions so that the short arm of the lever then acts as a lock for the partitions whether the stop 57 is employed or not.

The form of the invention as hereinbefore described is illustrative of one type of structure which the invention may assume. Various other types of structures may be employed to carry out the same feature of normally maintaining a plurality of folded partitions in a pocket when not in use and including a door for normally closing the pocketand for forcing the partitions to an aligned position, normally maintaining the partitions in this position and preventing the partitions from moving toward the pocket while the pocket door is closed. 'For example, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 the pocket door may be so constructed as to include a section 58 pivotally connected to one side of the door casing in any suitable manner, as indicated at 59, and also a section 60 pivotally connected at 61 to the opposite side of the door casing. The door section 60 is fitted with a handle 62 pivotally connected thereto as indicated at 68 so as to normally depend from the pivotal point on the inner side of this section of the door. Vhen moved to position to open the pocket this section of the door is adapted to fit and lie within a recess 63' provided therefor in the wall of the pocket employed for thefolding partitions and when in position to close the pocket this section 60 of the door may be secured in place by a bolt 64 or` otherwise. The adjacent edges of the sections of the door are rabbeted as indicated at 65 and the door section 58in a suitable position is provided with a handle or knob 66 by which it may be operated. In this structure f the folding partitions are employed in pairs and the devices in which they are mounted, and upon and in which they are adapted to slide and fold, are precisely the same as those hereinbefore described. It follows, therefore, that in the use of this type of the invention after the folding partitions have been moved to their aligned positions, when of course the parts of the pocket door are opened, the section 60 of the door may be moved from its recess 63', the handle thereon turned to the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 10 and then utilized to move the door section 60, causing the same to act as a lever to force the folding partitions to their aligned positions, whereupon the bolt 64: may be moved to secure the door section 60 in place in order, as will be understood, to maintain and lock the folding partitions in their aligned positions, preventing them from moving toward the pocket while the door section 6() is thus secured in its open position. Of course with the parts so placed the door section 58 may be moved to its closed position in contact with the door section 60 ,to completely close the pocket.

Obviously in this structure the pocket must be deep enough to permit the door section 60 to move to and from its closed and open positions when the folding partitions are in their normal positions within the pocket.

Then again as shown in Fig. 11, the pocket door may be made in two sections, as indicated at 67 and 69. The section 67 is suitably hinged, as indicated at 68, to one side of the door casing and the sections 67 and 69 hingedto each other, as indicated at 70. In this structure the end of the door section 69 adjacent the casing in which the folding partitions move is provided with pins extending from the upper and lower edges thereof. The pin extending from the upper edge of the door is indicated at 7l. This pin 71 and the corresponding pin in the bottom edge of the door are adapted to travel in grooves provided therefor in suitable tracks in the same manner as that hereinbefore described in connection with the type of structure shown in Figs. l to r7 inclusive. The section 69 of the door may be provided in a suitable position witha handle or knob 7 2 by which the door may be opened and closed. In this structure, that is, inthe form of the invention shown in Figli the pin 71 and its complementary pin at the bottom of the door slide in tracks, as hereinbefore stated, and thereby travel in a right line direction, and this section of the door swings on these pins while both sections of the door turn on their hinges in opening and closing the door. It naturally follows, therefore, that in closing the door the section 69 thereof acts as a lever in the same manner as that hereinbefore described in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figs. l to 7 inclusive. The short end of this lever extends from the pin 7l and its complementary pinV at the bottom of the door to the corresponding edge of the door, while the long arm of the lever extends between these pins and the opposite edge of this section of the door. By this construction, therefore, in the final closing movement of the parts of the door when the folding partitions are extended to their aligned positions the short arm of the lever at the outer end of the door section 69 bears against the adjacent edge of the Yadjacent partition, forcing the same and the other partitions successively to their aligned positions, and when the door is closed this end of the door functions to lock the partitions in their aligned positions, preventing them from moving in the opposite direction, or toward the pocket in which they are normally maintained. It is to be noted that in. this form of the inven- CID tion, as well as that shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, the pins on which the outer edge of the pocket door swings are preferably 1ocated in positions as near the outer edge of the door as possible in order to cause the pressure exerted through the short lever arm to be a maximum. This, of course, means that these pins are preferably placed in such positions that when the pocket door is closed they are closely adjacent the walls of the casing in which the folding partitions are designed to move.

The forms of the invention as herein illustrated are types of pocket doors by which the invention may be practiced, and it will be understood that other and equivalent types may be employed without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention. The invention obviously contemplates the use of a structure in which pocket doors are employed singly rather than in pairs, and also a door with the guide pins for directing and maintaining its movement when shifted to open and close the pocket. In this, as well as in other contemplated structures, the pocket door is movable to close the pocket both when the partitions are contained therein and when they are moved therefrom, and to prevent the partitions from moving from eX- tended formation toward the pocket while the pocket door is closed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a movable folding partition adapted to be folded to place in a pocket and to be unfolded to an aligned position wholly outside of the pocket, a spring jam device against which the partition is adapted to bear when outside of the pocket, a door adapted to close the pocket both when the partition lies within the same and when the partition lies wholly outside of the same, and means for mounting the door to swing to open and close the pocket and in closing the pocket when the partition is outside of the same to act as a lever to force the partition to pass against the said spring jam device and to then so maintain the partition while the door is closed.

2. In a pocket door for a movable section fold partition, a partition adapted to fold into position inside of a pocket and to unfold therefrom in sections to an aligned position outside of the pocket, a door for closing the pocket, a guide pin carried by the door for directing the movement of said door, and means associated with the door and guide, whereby in the closing movement of the door, the guide acts as a fulcrum for the door and forms a lever to forcibly maintain the partition in a tight aligned position against a yielding j amb when the same is extended.

Signed by me this 12th day of March, 1929.

WALTER E. DUNCANSON. 

